The Innovation Foundation launches One Health Innovation Lab at Innovation Park

The Innovation Foundation launches One Health Innovation Lab at Innovation Park

Wednesday, July 31, 2024

Media Contact: Cody Cramer | Associate Director of Communications - The Innovation Foundation at OSU | 405-613-2838 | [email protected]

The Innovation Foundation at Oklahoma State Universityrecently launched the One Health Innovation Labwithin the newly rebranded Venture One Health building at Innovation Park.

This cutting-edge facility is set to advance the university's One Health initiative, driving research and collaboration at the intersection of human, animal and environmental health.

"The One Health Innovation Lab presents unparalleled opportunities for collaboration and advancement in the biological sciences," said Elizabeth Pollard, CEO of The Innovation Foundation at OSU. "With this facility, we are poised to make significant strides in interdisciplinary research and innovation, attracting talent and fostering partnerships that drive economic growth for our community and beyond."

Innovation Park, encompassing 678 acres, serves as a nexus for OSU and industry collaborations. It provides resources tailored to nurture technology-based startup companies and actively supports businesses and industries looking to relocate and expand in Oklahoma. The park symbolizes the harmonious convergence of academia, technology and agricultural prowess, creating a dynamic environment for innovation and education.

"We understand there is a lot of mutual connection between how animal health impacts our global food supply," said Dr. Samuel Jeyasingh, director of the One Health Innovation Lab. "Our lab spans the interconnectedness between plant health, animal health, human health and the environment, also known as One Health."

The One Health initiative at OSU focuses on interdisciplinary projects such as studying how pollutants and other chemicals impact plants, animals and humans to improving food safety, better understanding viruses and safeguarding against parasites. One Health research is conducted at OSU in multiple areas across the state, including the College of Veterinary Medicine, the Center for Health Sciences, OSU Agriculture, OSU Extension along with the National Center for Wellness & Recovery.

OSU researchers strive to learn how people, animals and the environment can safely rely on each other to preserve global health and food security. The One Health Innovation Lab is another key component and central to this endeavor.

The lab's strategy includes establishing an advanced biorepository to house biospecimens from plants, animals and humans, creating a unique One Health library that supports interdisciplinary research and commercialization.

"By collaborating with OSU assets and private partners, we aim to leverage our biological assets for applied research and foster industry collaborations," Jeyasingh said.

In FY24, the lab enhanced its bioresearch capabilities with state-of-the-art equipment, facilitating the storage and sharing of diverse biospecimens. Donor-funded genetic sequencing equipment further supports OSU's Human Performance and Nutrition Research Institute-led projects and the broader One Health agenda, thereby elevating OSU's institutional impact.

"The samples need to be sequenced, and currently, they are being outsourced to another state. By offering this process here, we are creating a more efficient system, saving time and money," Jeyasingh said.

The lab has also established key partnerships with OSU's wheat breeding program and the Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, fostering resource sharing and collaborative research in agriculture and veterinary sciences. "We have a niche in the animal health space," Jeyasingh said. "We have the animal diseases diagnostic lab that acts as a USDA reference lab, coupled with the quality of veterinary medicine and some well-known scientists. It is a great place to be, working together as a team to solve One Health problems."

Jeyasingh is a veterinarian with a postgraduate diploma in zoonoses and has a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences from OSU Jeyasingh has a strong background in infectious diseases as he completed his postdoctoral training at Washington University School of Medicine and has previously worked at Vir Biotechnology focusing on infectious diseases.

"It is a great honor for me to be at OSU and able to give back to this community," Jeyasingh said.

Looking ahead, the One Health Innovation Lab plans to allocate more than 3,200 square feet within the Venture One Health building to use as accelerator space for emerging life science companies, further enhancing its role in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in molecular medicine.

Combined with the accelerator, lab services and Cowboy Technologies, the One Health Innovation Lab will add value and new revenue sources to The Innovation Foundation and OSU.

The One Health Innovation Lab not only drives economic development but also enriches OSU's allure for prospective students through state-of-the-art resources, internship opportunities and unparalleled access to jobs poised to meet future job market demands. The park integrates hands-on STEAM learning opportunities, from K-20 education initiatives to best-in-class research facilities, nurturing the next generation of innovators.

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